Splintered Read Online Free Page B

in a lot in front of the entrance to the Takomah Trail Park. Daniel stood next to the police officer, his head down, kicking at some rocks—until he heard Hank’s voice.
    “Are you okay, Daniel?”
    “Please don’t be mad, Hank. I keep saying it was all a mistake. I told that lady I was just trying to find a place to pee. I had to go real bad, Hank. I can’t help she ran by when I was peeing.”
    Standing there pleading his case, Daniel looked younger than his twenty-six years. It was almost like his facial features had stopped maturing when his brain did. He had rusty, brown-colored hair that he kept short on the sides and back, but longer on top. It always looked mussed up—he usually forgot to comb it before going out.
    Hank laid a soothing hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “I’m not mad. Next time though, make sure you us a public restroom or remember to take a leak before you leave home.”
    “I did, but the Mountain Dew went right through me. I’m sorry.”
    “Where’s the lady who called 911?” Hank craned his neck, looking around the parking lot.
    “She left,” Officer Topher said. “Like I relayed on the phone, she has twenty days to file her complaint, but I doubt she will. I explained that your brother obviously has limited mental capacity. My nephew has Down syndrome, so I understand how a simple act can turn into a big misunderstanding.”
    “I appreciate your help, officer.” Hank shook hands with the man. “Daniel’s never done nothing like this before.”
    Hank saw his little brother open his mouth. He moved the hand resting on Daniel’s shoulder down his brother’s arm and squeezed his elbow. Daniel got the hint and kept quiet. Continuing to hold him by the arm, Hank walked Daniel over to the passenger-side door of his work van and opened it.
    “Make sure you talk to your brother, Mr. Fry,” Officer Topher said. “He needs to understand the severity of the situation. Daniel’s lucky this didn’t happen with a minor, or he would have been arrested on the spot. The sheriff doesn’t take kindly to men messing with little kids in his county. Doesn’t matter if it was accidental or not. You get me?”
    Hank closed Daniel’s door. “Understood. Again, thank you for your understanding and assistance. We appreciate it. Is there anything else?”
    “No. If something more comes of this, we’ll be in touch.”
    Hank gave a quick nod and walked around to the driver’s side. He clenched his fingers around the handle and drew a few deep breaths before climbing in. Once seated, he paused before turning over the engine. Daniel had a Wolverine comic book in his lap, one he’d fished out of the glove compartment. As he turned the pages, the stress of the morning instantly disappeared from his face.
    Hank was only five when Daniel was born, but he remembered how his brother had arrived prematurely. His dad had said there wasn’t a chance in hell the kid would even come home from the hospital, but Daniel had proven him wrong—something that had always seemed to stick in his dad’s craw. Daniel was a twig of a kid, quickly earning him the nickname “Small Fry.” Of the many names he’d been called, it was the only one he didn’t mind. Sitting there flipping the pages of his comic book, the boy looked innocent enough, but Hank wondered if deviant thoughts jockeyed for position inside Daniel’s head.
    “You promised you wouldn’t expose yourself in public again,” Hank said. After a couple of tries, the engine finally turned over.
    Daniel turned and stared at him. Every emotion crossed the boy’s face, from shock to confusion to sadness.
    “No, Hank. I told you it was a mistake. I just wanted to get out of the house. To go to the park and feed the ducks. Then I had to pee. Why won’t you believe me?”
    Hank looked into Daniel’s teary eyes. He didn’t have an answer for the boy.
    Daniel’s face flushed red. “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” He slammed his fist against his head with each